ft.—44

14

A complete analysis made by the Dominion Analyst is given as Appendix E of this report. For the purpose of comparison three analyses of British coal-gas are given. Prom these it may be seen that the New Zealand samples contain a much higher percent age of incombustible gas and are considerably lower in calorific value than British coal-gas, The. Board recommends in this connection that the companies should be compelled to maintain the standard heating-power of the gas at 500 British thermal units net. , The Board finds that complaint as to the poor quality of gas supplied to consumers during 1917 was justified, but it will be noted from the table in Appendix D that since, the company has completed the improvements to its plant a marked increase in calorific value is shown. The Board recommends that legislation be introduced making it compulsory that the quality of gas supplied by a gas company shall, with respect to its heating-power, be not less than 500 British thermal units net. Legislation on the lines of this recommendation was enacted in Great Britain in August, 1916, by the Gas (Standard Calorific Power) Act, 1916, and in New South Wales by the Gas Act of 19,12. Regulations issued under the latter Act on the 17th September, 1913, prescribed that "' the British thermal unit shall, for the purposes of this Act, be the British thermal unit net in which the latent heat of the, vaporization of the water-vapour in the gas consumed shall be deducted from the. gross result. The result shall be corrected for atmospheric pressure and for temperature, and in such other particulars as the gas-examiner may deem necessary in order to arrive at the true measurement of the heat produced." The, British Act prescribes that where any company, authority, or person is authorized to supply gas in any area in the. United Kingdom, and the gas so supplied is required to be of a prescribed illuminating-power, the appropriate Government Department may, if they think it expedient, and subject to such conditions, if any, as they consider proper, including such variations as they may think desirable of the prescribed pressure at which the gas is to be supplied, by an order substitute for the prescribed standard of illuminating-power a prescribed standard of calorific power, and also substitute for the provisions attesting as to illuminating-power provisions as to attesting for calorific power. OTHER COMMODITIES. It will be noted from the foregoing somewhat full reports concerning particular commodities that the Board has covered a wide field of work. In addition to these articles, however, the Board had to concern itself with others of more or less importance. Chief among these may be quoted Coal. Pressure of other urgent work prevented the Board undertaking the comprehensive inquiry you wished in respect to coal-prices, but it, is expected that the duty will be undertaken shortly. The Board kept in close touch with the work' of the Coal Committees set up by Order in Council in the chief centres, which concerned themselves mainly respecting equitable distribution of supplies. Up to March last, then- were no complaints received as to excessive prices. Grass-sheds. Following information received that the price of grass-seeds was advancing, inquiry was made by the Board of Trade and an arrangement was effected between merchants and the Board whereby prices agreed upon would not be exceeded. Following the serious bush-fires in the Raetihi district, the Government fixed standard prices for grass-seeds by Order in Council, preventing merchants charging prices higher than those ruling on the 4th March, 1918. Salt. Frequent shortages of supply led to increased prices, and every assistance possible was given to importers by the Board to obtain freight-space. In conjunction with the Munitions and Supplies Department, a considerable, measure of relief was afforded by securing supplies from Australia, but the quantity obtained was quite inadequate to meet demands. The Commonwealth Government later prohibited the export of fine and dairy salt, and New Zealand has had to depend upon salt obtained from the United Kingdom and- America, the freight and other charges upon which are particularly heavy. Immediately Australian shipments can be resumed it is expected that the position will be relieved, and prices will ease. Potatoes, Chaff, Oats, and Fertilizers. Inquiries and investigations concerning the supply, price, and distribution of potatoes, chaff, oats, and fertilizers were undertaken by the Board, and arrangements were made from time to time to relieve shortages in different localities, and to prevent prices rising unduly owing to localized scarcities. The method adopted in, these cases was "by consultation and agreement with the parties mainly affected. Supplies had at times to be supplemented by importations from Australia, and in this connection the Munitions and Supplies Department rendered the Board valuable assistance in regard to the issue of priority permits wherever the Board recommended that such were necessary. GEiNFERAi, SURVEY, The foregoing is a record of the work of the Board of Trade as required by the Act, but our report would not be complete without some reference to phases of the cost-of-living question that have come under our notice during the many investigations into supply and price of commodities which were conducted during the year. Full and complete data showing the trend of retail prices